Jammu, March 26, 2025- Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha emphasised the need to preserve India’s rich cultural heritage during his address at the J&K Cultural Festival, held at Baba Jitto Auditorium, SKUAST Jammu, on Tuesday. Organized by Shri Kailakh Jyotish & Vedic Sansthan Trust, the event celebrated the region’s traditions through exhibitions of handicrafts, traditional cuisines, and folk dances, drawing a large crowd.
Joined by Acharya Mahamandleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri ji Maharaj, LG Manoj Sinha praised the trust’s role in promoting Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural and linguistic heritage. He reflected on India’s ancient civilization, noting its profound influence on humanity through intellectual, scientific, and spiritual contributions, encapsulated in the idea of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—the world as one family.
“We must unite generations to protect and promote our cultural heritage while spreading the timeless wisdom of our civilization,” LG Sinha said. He called on youth, religious organizations, and civil society to prioritise the preservation of natural, cultural, and living heritage, advocating for a multidisciplinary approach to sustain traditional crafts, folk arts, and ancient knowledge systems alongside sustainable development.
The festival featured several highlights, including the release of Abhinandan Granth, a book edited by Mahant Rohit Shastri chronicling the Lieutenant Governor’s life, a documentary screening, and the felicitation of prominent individuals. An exhibition showcasing the Armed Forces’ technological advancements also aimed to inspire young attendees to consider military service.
Among the notable attendees were Shri Sham Lal Sharma, Member of Legislative Assembly; Prof. B. N. Tripathi, Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-Jammu; Shri Sanjeev Verma, Commissioner Secretary of Social Welfare; and Mahant Rohit Shastri, President of the organizing trust. Senior officials, religious leaders, and community members gathered to celebrate the event’s focus on cultural unity and heritage awareness.
LG Manoj Sinha underscored the critical role of scientists, artists, and spiritual leaders in realising the vision of a developed India, or ‘Viksit Bharat,’ urging all stakeholders to champion sustainable lifestyles and environmental responsibility.